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4930K Rampage IV Black Edition Ram Overclocking Help (AKA is my IMC just horrible?)

catch22alex
Level 7
Hi all,

Specs:
4930k w/ h100i
RIVBE -- just installed the latest beta bios (0801)
64gb G-skill 2133 11-11-11-31-2 1.5v kit (auto sets VCCSA to 1.25 as far as I can tell)
Rosewill 1300w PSU

I'd appreciate some help on this as I can't seem to figure out what's going on. So here's the story... I've been running my machine at 4.5ghz (temps max at about 64C) and the XMP profile of 2133 with 1.35vcore for a while. Every now and again I'd have random application crashes and sometimes I'd wake up to the machine having crashed but I never could nail down what happened and it always generally seemed stable to me during use.

I've been doing some computational work on the machine and finally this is where the issues would come. During high memory/cpu usage applications, the machine would just shut off and reboot -- no crash notification etc (which is probably what happened while I slept or something). Anywho, I ended up looking around and realized that given my memory density, I was likely to have issues running at 2133.

First test of these settings, Prime95 small FFT passed for hours and hours but blend test produced errors almost immediately. A quick google tells me this is likely the memory. So that led me in a bunch of directions, including reducing timings (per the memory overclocking guide), increasing VCCSA (all the way up to 1.375v), increasing Vcore.

Per a user on the other forum, I went two approaches where I see some converging data. First, My memory, even at 1600mhz 9-9-9-9-24, will not pass a prime95 blend at 4.5ghz. It appears to run fine at 4.4ghz (1.295 Vcore).

Also, the XMP profile works fine at the stock speed of the processor (3.9 turbo) with everything on auto (besides the XMP VCCSA voltage increase). 4.3ghz appears to run 1866 at ~1.275vCore and the 11-11-11-31-2 XMP timings (1.25 VCCSA per XMP), yet these settings that work stably at 4.3ghz won't work at 4.4ghz at (1.295 Vcore).

So it appears my max is 4.4ghz before the IMC won't produce errors. I've tried increasing VTT (incrementally all the way up to 1.225), VCCSA (all the way up to 1.375), and vcore (all the way up to 1.4) to pass a blend test at 4.5ghz, but can't seem to do it.

Is this the sign of a really poor IMC? Does anyone have suggestions on how to tweak the machine at this point? I don't particularly wan't to go over 1.4Vcore and don't want to achieve greater than 4.5ghz. It would be wonderful if I could get my ram to it's tested speed but honestly if I could even run the ram at 1600mhz at 4.5ghz without producing errors I would be just as happy.

Thanks for reading, I know it was lengthy -- I've tried so many different combinations with pretty much poor results.
4,389 Views
8 REPLIES 8

alexmunteanu
Level 7
Hey,
The same thing happens to me, but I can get it to work only at 1.5V and the ram at 1866MHz 9-9-9-24-2 (I have a Corsair Vengeance Pro 64Gb 2133Mhz).
Same mobo and CPU...
So I would also be glad if someone with a similar configuration managed to boost this puppy over 4.4GHz.
Thanks!

Cheers,
Alex

jeepcoma
Level 10
I am running (what appears to be) the same memory kit no problems at it's rated speed and my 4960x at a comfortable 4.5 @ 1.2V. I'm pretty lucky though, I haven't had much to do in regards to RAM tuning beyond setting XMP and some power tweaks (nothing with timing other than setting latency to "nearest").

Couple questions and suggestions for you to try, though I am no expert:

1. Your original configuration of 4.5/2133 you mention you'd get random resets. Was it otherwise stable in terms of Prime95? Usually the reboots are related to the Current Capability settings, and there are three areas you need to tweak this (1 in CPU and 2 in DRAM). I have both DRAM Current Capability settings at 120%, and Power Phase Control set to Optimized. Try that and see if it cures the reset problem.

2. 4.5 is a pretty healthy OC on the CPU too so make sure you have the power settings done there. I have CPU LLC and Current Capability set to Auto (which gives High and 160% respectively) which allows CPU Power Phase Control to sit on Auto (if I manually select the LLC and Current Capability I'm forced to Extreme Power Phase Control, otherwise there is no difference in doing it manually). Make sure you disable Spread Spectrum for CPU and PCIe (there are two locations to do it in the BIOS, somewhat confusingly).

3. Going too high with some voltages can be as problematic as not enough voltage. I am running VTT at 1.0, VCCSA at 0.8 (adjusted via offset). I think there are some guidelines as to how these should relate to your CPU core voltage but I haven't had to get to that level of depth to get stability. I think your VTT/VCCSA is way too high.

4. The real trouble is isolating errors due to CPU or due to RAM. In my personal experience, it's always been CPU related, even when I've thought it's RAM. The fact that you're dropping speed and timings and still getting errors at a particular speed makes me think you're seeing the same thing with the CPU and the RAM stuff is a red herring. What are your CPU OC settings? I believe I'm at +0.1V in offset and then an additional +0.4 in Additional Turbo Voltage. Make sure your Rampage Memory Tweak is set to the IVB-E mode (I think it's #3), and test. If you get P95 errors, try changing the Memory Latency Boundary to "Furthest". This should kill your performance but hopefully stabilize the memory; if you're still getting errors, it suggests the RAM is not the weak link.
Rampage IV Black Edition | 4960X 4.5 GHz x6 @ ~1.232V | 64 GB 2133 1.5V @ Stock XMP
2x Crossfire Matrix Platinum 7970s @ Stock | AX1200i | H100i | Corsair Link Commander
1 TB EVO | 3 TB WD Red | CoolerMaster Cosmos II

jeepcoma wrote:
I am running (what appears to be) the same memory kit no problems at it's rated speed and my 4960x at a comfortable 4.5 @ 1.2V. I'm pretty lucky though, I haven't had much to do in regards to RAM tuning beyond setting XMP and some power tweaks (nothing with timing other than setting latency to "nearest").

Couple questions and suggestions for you to try, though I am no expert:

1. Your original configuration of 4.5/2133 you mention you'd get random resets. Was it otherwise stable in terms of Prime95? Usually the reboots are related to the Current Capability settings, and there are three areas you need to tweak this (1 in CPU and 2 in DRAM). I have both DRAM Current Capability settings at 120%, and Power Phase Control set to Optimized. Try that and see if it cures the reset problem.

2. 4.5 is a pretty healthy OC on the CPU too so make sure you have the power settings done there. I have CPU LLC and Current Capability set to Auto (which gives High and 160% respectively) which allows CPU Power Phase Control to sit on Auto (if I manually select the LLC and Current Capability I'm forced to Extreme Power Phase Control, otherwise there is no difference in doing it manually). Make sure you disable Spread Spectrum for CPU and PCIe (there are two locations to do it in the BIOS, somewhat confusingly).

3. Going too high with some voltages can be as problematic as not enough voltage. I am running VTT at 1.0, VCCSA at 0.8 (adjusted via offset). I think there are some guidelines as to how these should relate to your CPU core voltage but I haven't had to get to that level of depth to get stability. I think your VTT/VCCSA is way too high.

4. The real trouble is isolating errors due to CPU or due to RAM. In my personal experience, it's always been CPU related, even when I've thought it's RAM. The fact that you're dropping speed and timings and still getting errors at a particular speed makes me think you're seeing the same thing with the CPU and the RAM stuff is a red herring. What are your CPU OC settings? I believe I'm at +0.1V in offset and then an additional +0.4 in Additional Turbo Voltage. Make sure your Rampage Memory Tweak is set to the IVB-E mode (I think it's #3), and test. If you get P95 errors, try changing the Memory Latency Boundary to "Furthest". This should kill your performance but hopefully stabilize the memory; if you're still getting errors, it suggests the RAM is not the weak link.


1) I didn't get around to testing it TBH
2) I get conflicting information about this -- some say dont mess with it. I don't think i've messed with LLC at all.
3) I'm just basing this off of the memory OC guide posted by ROG and the fact my XMP profile sets VCCSA at 1.25. I have also tried decreasing these voltages with little effect.
4) I'm pretty certain the RAM isn't the weak link because 4.3ghz runs the 2133 just fine at it's XMP profile. At the same time, just increasing the Vcore and going to 4.4ghz causes me to only be able to run at 1600mhz.


RE: Arne, I'm pretty sure they fixed that issue with later BIOS revisions.


I might play a bit more, but 4.4ghz and 1600mhz ram isn't going to kill me =/

Arne_Saknussemm
Level 40
There is an issue with many 4930Ks it seems...this crashing and restart with no BlueScreen can be remedied by doing one or two things.

Increasing CPU current capability in Digi+ section. Auto is 140% so if you are setting that lower try AUTO or even increase to 160% 170%

The other is enable current inrush inertia.

jeepcoma
Level 10
I think we can get you to 4.5/2133 if you are willing to spend a little time. Can you post your BIOS settings? Maybe start with your stable 4.3/2133 version since it's running the ram speed you want (and personally, I would run that over 4.4/1600)
Rampage IV Black Edition | 4960X 4.5 GHz x6 @ ~1.232V | 64 GB 2133 1.5V @ Stock XMP
2x Crossfire Matrix Platinum 7970s @ Stock | AX1200i | H100i | Corsair Link Commander
1 TB EVO | 3 TB WD Red | CoolerMaster Cosmos II

catch22alex
Level 7
jeepcoma,
I just wanted to let you know and I followed your advice of VTT/VCCSA being too high. In my case, this seems like you were right. I havent fully optimized it, but I'm at 4.4ghz/2133 stable with 1.295Vcore, 1.1VTT, .95 VCCSA so far. I appear to have went wrong when the XMP profile set 1.25 and I thought increasing was better. I had decreased but not as dramatically as before. I may be able to get to 4.5ghz but It's no big deal to me if heat and power consumption will go up even more 🙂

catch22alex wrote:
jeepcoma,
I just wanted to let you know and I followed your advice of VTT/VCCSA being too high. In my case, this seems like you were right. I havent fully optimized it, but I'm at 4.4ghz/2133 stable with 1.295Vcore, 1.1VTT, .95 VCCSA so far. I appear to have went wrong when the XMP profile set 1.25 and I thought increasing was better. I had decreased but not as dramatically as before. I may be able to get to 4.5ghz but It's no big deal to me if heat and power consumption will go up even more 🙂


When I was having trouble getting my RAM to 2133MHz, the following changes allowed me to boot-up and pass an ROG realbench stress test with my 4930k @ 4600MHz and my 32GB of Corsair Dom Plats @2133MHz:

- Manually set VCORE to 1.35V (more or less may be needed, but this can be optimized once stability is achieved)
- Turn off Intel Enhanced Speedstep
- Turn off C-States
- Turn off CPU spread spectrum

Basically, turn off all power-saving features that cause the voltages and frequencies to be changed dynamically. I could be wrong, but I think that these features cause instability due to sudden drops and increases in voltage. This may or may not work for you, but it certainly made all the difference for me. You might also try relaxing your RAM timings.

-Carson

jeepcoma
Level 10
Nice work. I think beyond pure voltage adjustments, there is plenty that this board offers that can help bump you up another 100-200 MHz without further voltage (and heat). Things like the power phase control, load line calibrations, switching freqs, and the gillion memory tweaking settings, etc can help you milk it for all it's worth while maintaining good efficiency and thermals. I think you can make your 4.5/2133 goal with a little more tweaking!
Rampage IV Black Edition | 4960X 4.5 GHz x6 @ ~1.232V | 64 GB 2133 1.5V @ Stock XMP
2x Crossfire Matrix Platinum 7970s @ Stock | AX1200i | H100i | Corsair Link Commander
1 TB EVO | 3 TB WD Red | CoolerMaster Cosmos II